Cultural treasure: About 50 artefacts and more than 100 photographs showing the role of the Ta Teh Institute in Hong Kong's past will be featured at the Museum of History June 29 to October 3.

About 50 artefacts and more than 100 photographs showing the role of the Ta Teh Institute in Hong Kong's past will be featured at the Museum of History June 29 to October 3.

The institute was founded during the civil war period of the late 1940s. During its two and a half years in operation, it witnessed the close relationship between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Director of Leisure & Cultural Services Anissa Wong said after World War II, many famous intellectuals from the Mainland arrived in Hong Kong.

The institute not only offered job opportunities for these literati, but also helped nurture distinguished young people for the new China.

Arts college

The institute was a full-time arts college established by the Communist Party Committee of the Guangdong Area and patriots in Hong Kong. Situated in Tuen Mun, the school's campus was the residence of anti-Japanese General Cai Tingkai, known as Longjiang Villa.

The school's name came from a chapter of the Book of Rights saying that "wisdom, benevolence and courage are virtues shared by all".

The institute opened October 10, 1946, but was banned on February 23, 1949. Despite its short duration, a handful of intellectuals, who gathered in Hong Kong during the second half of the 1940s, provided the institute with an impeccable teaching staff, and groomed 800 promising young people.

Well-known intellectuals who lectured or spoke at the institute include He Xiangning, Qiao Guanhua, Mao Dun, Cao Yu, Guo Moruo, Hou Wailu and Qian Jiaju.

Historical monument

The London Missionary Society (now Council for World Mission) acquired the premises in 1952, and loaned it to the Hoh Fuk Tong Centre as teaching and living quarters.

In 1961 the London Missionary Society transferred the property to the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China. In 1999, the church proposed to demolish the Hoh Fuk Tong Centre and its neighbouring CCC But San Primary School and Hoh Fuk Tong College, but drew community concern.

On March 26 last year the institute's original main building, now called Morrison Building, was declared an historical monument and preserved.

Piece of the past

The History of Ta Teh Institute Exhibition is free.

The Museum of History is located at 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. It opens from 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 7pm on Sundays and public holidays. It is closed Tuesdays, except public holidays.

Admission to the galleries is $10 and a half-price concession is available for students, the elderly and disabled. Admission is free on Wednesdays.

For details, visit the museum's website or call 2724 9042.